KINGSTON, Jamaica — Director of Emergency, Disaster Management and Special Services, Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse is urging members of the public to cooperate with health workers in the drive to control the dengue outbreak.

“Health care workers will be working in communities to distribute health education material on dengue and assist householders, business places and schools with identifying and destroying mosquito breeding sites,” she said.

DuCasse cautions however that householders should not allow anyone who is not properly identified as a health worker into their premises.

“Our workers will carry with them proper identification. Ensure that you ask to see their ID before allowing anyone onto your premises,” she said.

Jamaica is currently experiencing an outbreak of dengue fever and has recorded an increase in the number of cases since the start of the year, with the Ministry reporting a total of 1,710 suspected cases of dengue fever as at October 13, 2012, compared to 429 for the corresponding period last year and 2,642 for the same period in 2010 which was an outbreak year.

Individuals who wish to obtain more information on dengue may call the Ministry’s Emergency Operations Centre at 1888-663-5683 (1888 ONE LOVE), from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily.